Suns’ Booker evokes his idol, Bryant

There’s a certain irrepressible quality to the NBA’s most elite stars, a sense that they can accomplish just about anything through the combination of their talent and willpower. Such names as Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Damian Lillard and Kevin Durant come quickly to mind.

Devin Booker remains on the outside of that room, but he’s pounding on the door.

The Phoenix Suns’ star is not “the next Kobe Bryant,” as some have claimed, for that’s a galactic standard graced by five NBA championships and a work ethic unsurpassed. But Booker patterns his game, and his life, after Bryant. On the occasions he finds himself at the Staples Center in L.A., he looks toward Bryant’s retired numbers (8 and 24) in the rafters for inspiration, once telling reporters, “I think about Kobe and the conversations we had ... the postseason and being legendary, and taking the steps to get there.”

Honoring Bryant, who died in a helicopter accident last year, is “everything” in Booker’s life, he said, especially when it comes to “diet, strength training, and making sure your body can withhold these moments.” And as the NBA Finals continue, with Game 3 Sunday in Milwaukee, Booker’s performances have been every bit as endearing as Chris Paul’s dogged pursuit of a championship ring.

From the days of his youth, Booker idolized the Lakers great who seemed to dictate NBA action on his terms. There’s a similarity on the court, where Booker rises so effortlessly to hit feathery jump shots with textbook form, even in heavy traffic. Kobe always seemed far older than his years, and Booker exudes a powerful selfassurance in his manner and voice.

Their backgrounds would suggest nothing in common, except for the lifechanging influence of their fathers. Bryant grew up in Philadelphia, where Joe “Jellybean” Bryant spent the first four years of his NBA career. Joe moved on to Italy, where young Kobe learned the language and immersed himself in the culture, referring to the northern town of Reggio Emilia as “my home.”

As his basketball talent blossomed, Kobe knew he needed a taste of bigcity American ball. He spent a few summers in Philadelphia, developing his game on the playgrounds, and eventually moved there to attend Lower Merion High School. College? There was really no need. His skills had become so advanced, he jumped straight to the NBA. Booker grew up in a predominantly white suburb in Michigan and enjoyed a comfortable existence, but things changed when his parents separated. His father, Melvin, moved to Mississippi, where he grew up. Devin would visit in summers and found himself gently urged by his dad to move there permanently. It was more than just the company; Melvin felt the kid would become tougher — as a player and as a person — in that multiracial setting. Devin balked at first, but he wound up playing at the same Mississippi high school, Moss Point, as his father. It was his ticket to Kentucky, where he played one season before the Suns drafted him in 2015.

It’s a little bit frightening to the opposition when Booker really gets rolling. This is a man who has scored 50, 59 and 70 points (against Boston in 2017) during regularseason games. He averaged 25plus during this year’s playoff series against the Lakers, Denver and the Clippers, with nights of 27 and 31 against the Bucks.

“Every time Book hit a 3 or do something, you could just tell it melted them down,” teammate Mikal Bridges said after Game 2. “They’re like, ‘Dang, we was right there.’ And I’m amazed, too. I’m running in there trying to crash, maybe get an Oboard, and it’s going in every single time.”

More than the numbers, Booker often leaves the impression that he owns the court — which is remarkable considering that Paul, quite clearly, is the man on that team. Whatever you call Booker, don’t go with sidekick. He’s got his own set of keys.

It’s not over

Four reasons why the Bucks win Game 3: Giannis Antetokounmpo won’t let them lose. He almost pulled off a Game 2 win by himself, in Phoenix, with a 20point third quarter and 42 overall, all of it on a left knee hyperextended June 29. Although the Suns were twice dominant at home, consecutive NBA playoff games rarely have a connection with each other. Just when you think you’ve got it figured out, you learn differently. “Giannis has no help” is a predominant theme just now, but things are about to change. Khris Middleton is far too effective to stay down for long, and Jrue Holiday will show why he’s one of the best twoway players in the league. They’re about to make everyone forget they shot a combined 12for37 in Game 2.

Maybe they aren’t headlinegrabbing injuries, but the Suns have lost backup big man Dario Saric (torn ACL) for the series; small forward Torrey Craig, a hardworking veteran who takes pride in his defense, is daytoday with a sore knee. Depth issues can be particularly glaring on the road.

Final note: In a recent conversation with Warriors alltime great Rick Barry, he said he’s pleasantly surprised how his stats remain historically relevant. One of his best: most points in a player’s first postseason (521 for the 1967 San Francisco Warriors). Booker is about to break that — he’s got 490 — but Barry did it in 15 games. Sunday night will be Booker’s 19th game.